Modular furniture structure assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular furniture structure assembly utilizing rectilinear loops of substantially rigid material. Each leg of each loop is provided with longitudinally extending planar surfaces which are disposed at an angle to the plane of the loop. The planar surfaces on adjacent legs of separate loops may be secured in complimentary abutting relation by suitable fastening elements so as to provide a load supporting structure formed of a plurality of interconnected, rectilinear, three-dimensional frame members.

United States Patent [191 Hentrich Dec. 16, 1975 MODULAR FURNITURESTRUCTURE ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Donald M. Hentrich, 2615 35th Ave.,Rock Island, 111. 61201 22 Filed: on. 2, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 511,239

[52] US. Cl 312/107; 108/159 [51] Int. Cl. A47B 3/06; A47B 87/00 [58]Field of Search 312/257 R, 256 SK, 257 SM, 312/257 A, 108, 111, 107;297/443, 444;

108/157, 159, 111; 24/73 BP, 81 CC, 243

AB, 81 SK, 268, 257 R, 16 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS451,599 5/1891 Meigs 312/107 1,787,734 l/193l Rowling 24/268 UX2,234,156 3/1941 Creson 24/268 UX 2,356,059 8/1944 Humphner 24/16 R UX2,750,315 6/1956 Tierney 24/16 R UX 2,775,805 l/l957 Sands 24/243 AB3,252,434 5/1966 Young 108/111 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,199,4528/1965 Germany 103/111 173,549 12/1960 Sweden 108/159 2,013,083 12/1971.Germany 108/111 Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attorney, Agent, orFirmHume, Clement, Brinks, Willian, Olds & Cook, Ltd.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A modular furniture structure assembly utilizingrectilinear loops of substantially rigid material. Each leg of each loopis provided with longitudinally extending planar surfaces which aredisposed at an angle to the plane of the loop. The planar surfaces onadjacent legs of Separate loops may be secured in complimentary abuttingrelation by suitable fastening elements so as to provide a loadsupporting structure formed of a plurality of interconnected,rectilinear, three-dimensional frame members.

lClaim, 13 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 1 of23,926,483

F|G.1 FIGZ US, Patsnt Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,926,483

52 FIG. 7

FIG/I3 MODULAR FURNITURE STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a modular furniture structure assembly capableof taking a number of forms but basically being a load bearingstructure. Suitable panels may be included in the assembly to provideshelving of various configurations with selectively placed dividers andback panels.

The principal objects of this invention are: to provide a simpleinexpensive load supporting structure which is constructed of a minimumof parts and which can be quickly assembled from a plurality of modulesand fastening elements which themselves have a simple construction; toprovide such a structure in knocked-down form, comprising a plurality ofsimple modular members capable of being readily secured one to anotherto form three-dimensional rectilinear frame members that in themselvesform sub-assemblies for the complete assembly; to provide a modularfurniture structure in which the basic components have configurationssuch that they can be readily secured together to form a substantiallyrigid element with very simple inexpensive fastening means such aspressure sensitive tape; to provide a supporting structure for aplurality of panel members selectively placed to form shelves, verticaldividers and back members in accordance with the aesthetic taste of theperson assembling the structure; and to provide a structure of thecharacter described which is pleasing and interesting in appearance andformed of light, simple and inexpensive members, stable and durable inuse and particularly well adapted for the use for which they aredesigned.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form ofrectilinear loop member adapted to be utilized in the furniturestructure assembly.

FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal cross-section of the loop shown in FIG.1, the view being taken along the line 2-2 of that figure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of loops of the typeshown in FIG. 1, the loops being assembled substantially in the form ofa cube, with a horizontally disposed panel supported thereby.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one corner of the subassembly shown inFIG. 3, with parts broken away showing in more detail the manner ofassembly of the loops.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another form of rectilinear loop member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly of loops of the typesshown in FIGS. 1 and 5 with the loops being assembled substantially inthe form of an elongated box-like structure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a furniture structure assembly comprisedof a plurality of sub-assemblies of the form shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of one portion ofthe assembly shown in FIG. 7, with parts broken away, showing theconfiguration of an interior corner of that assembly.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in cross-section of theadjacent legs of four loops disposed in complimentary abutting relationalso illustrating one form of partially assembled clip member adapted tosecure the legs in such relation.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partly in cross-section of aloop member having a cross-sectional configuration alternative to thatshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section of thecomplimentary abutting legs of a plurality of loop members of the formshown in FIG. 10 shown in assembled relation.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partly in cross-section, ofanother form of loop member having another cross-sectional configurationalternative to that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section of thecomplimentary abutting legs of a plurality of loop members of the formshown in FIG. 12 shown in assembled relation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, astructural component indicated generally by the numeral 10 is showntherein in the form of a substantially square loop of material with fourlegs 12, l4, l6 and 18 having rounded comers such as 20 therebetween. Asshown in FIG. 2, the loop is preferably formed of material having asubstantially square cross-sectional configuration, rotated preferably45 degrees from what would normally be regarded as the conventionalposition. As a result, the material is formed so that the outer andinner peripheries 22 and 24, respectively, of the loop are defined byopposite corners of the square section. Likewise, the two sideperipheries of the loop are formed by the remaining opposite corners 26and 28 of the square section.

This cross-sectional configuration of the legs of the loop provides eachleg with a plurality of longitudinally extending plane surfaces 30, 32,34 and 36 disposed preferably at right angles to each other and at anangle to the plane of the loop, which plane includes the inner and outerperipheries 22 and 24 thereof.

This configuration of the loop 10 as just described permits a pluralityof such loops to be assembled together with one or more of the planesurfaces on each leg of each loop secured in complimentary abuttingrelation to one or more of the plane surfaces on one or more of the legsof adjacent loops to form a three-dimensional rectilinear frame member.Such a member, substantially in the form of a cube, is indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 38 in FIG. 3. A single panel member40 is shown disposed in horizontal supported relation by the framemember 38. The edges of such panel are preferably bevelled so as to bereceived in aligned, supported relation by the upper, interior planesurfaces 42 of the upper horizontal loop member 44 shown in FIG. 4. Suchan assembly 38 can itself form an end or occasional table of attractiveappearance. It likewise can form a module in a more complex structure asdescribed below.

The fastening elements used to secure the legs of adjacent loopstogether in the manner described may be of a highly simplified form,such as the segments of tightly wrapped thin-walled material 46, bestshown in FIG. 4. Such segments 46 may preferably be in the form ofpressure sensitive, adhesive tape containing longitudinal reinforcingstrands of a suitable material such as nylon, the tape being tightlywrapped around adjacent legs of the assembled loop members. This mannerof assembly of the loops, although extremely simple, provides astructure that is capable of supporting a substantial load. Theangularly disposed, interfitting complimentary planes form bearingsurfaces that are subjected to a substantial portion of the load createdforces. As a result, the fastening elements are subjected to relativelylight forces and can thus have a simplified construction.

The loop or ring members can be fabricated of any suitable materialhaving sufficient rigidity and formability. In the preferred embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1 and 5 the members are formed of standard metal squarewire or bar stock with a suitable butt weld at the point of juncture ofthe two ends. A suitable dimension for the stock has been found to be aA inch square. It is also preferable to provide a suitable finish coatfor the loops such as appropriate plating or a suitable covering such asan epoxy resin, for example.

Other materials such as plastic can, of course, be used to fabricate theloops if it possesses sufficient rigidity and strength for the intendedpurpose of a furniture structure assembly. When such materials are used,it is possible that the loop members can be fabricated as an integralwhole by a molding process so that the necessity of forming a joint inthe individual loops is eliminated.

For aesthetic reasons the fastening members 46 pref erably have a finishcoat that matches the finish of the loop members. A laminated outerlayer may be desir able to achieve this result. The base layerpreferably can be cellulosic tape having longitudinal reinforcingstrands of synthetic material embedded therein of the type commonly usedfor packaging in industry.

A second structural component, loop 48 shown in FIG. 5, has a generallyrectangular configuration and is preferably half again as long as loop10, previously described. As shown in FIG. 6, four of the loops 48 canbe assembled with their elongated legs secured together in pairs withthe plane surfaces thereof in abutting relation by the use of aplurality of fastening means 46. A loop of the configuration shown inFIG. 1 can be secured to the shorter legs of each loop 48 to form theends of the elongated box-like member indicated generally by the numeral50 shown in FIG. 6. Again the end members are secured in the positionindicated by suitable fastening members 46 as shown.

Two basic sub-assemblies are thus provided that differ in the directionof one axis in dimension. From these two basic components a largevariety of complete assemblies can be fabricated such as the oneillustrated in FIG. 7, generally identified by the numeral 52. Suitablepanel members such as 54, 56 and 58 can be disposed horizontally andvertically as shelving, separators or back panels, in various patternsto achieve both functional and aesthetic results as desired. Thesepanels may be transparent or opaque and of selected colors to addinterest to the design.

The cooperative interfitting nature of the components is illustrated inFIG. 8. As shown therein, one leg 60 of vertical frame member 62 and oneleg 64 of vertical frame member 66 are secured in nested relation withone leg 68 of horizontal frame member 70 and one leg 72 of horizontalframe member 74. The panel member 76 is supported by the surface 78 ofthe horizontal frame member 74 upon which the bevelled edge 80 of thepanel member 76 rests in interfitting relation. The

4 vertically disposed panels can be secured in place by any suitableholding means so that the bevelled edges of the panel abut the matingsurfaces of the associated frame member. Such holding means may be inthe form of a suitable clip member or a two sided adhesive strip, forexample.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 9, the fastening elements usedto secure the legs of adjacent loops together may take the form ofthin-walled clip members of suitable configu ration. One such clipmember can comprise the main element 82 which is fabricated ofsufficiently flexible material to be able to be forced over the legs 84.After the main element 82 is thus disposed in clamping relation to theleg members 84 a locking member 86 may be slid into place in cooperativeengagement with the flange members 88 and 90 on the element 82. Othersuitable clip members may, of course, be utilized but they should be asunobtrusive as possible for aesthetic reasons.

The loop members may likewise have other than a rectilinearcross-section, but in each instance such alternative embodiments areprovided with longitudinally extending planar surfaces disposed at anangle to the plane of the loop so as to permit substantially the samekind of assembly previously described. For example, loop member 92 shownin FIG. 10 has a substantially L-shaped crosssection. The leg 94 of theloop 92, therefore, has two longitudinally extending plane surfaces 96and 98 disposed preferably at right angles to each other and at an angleto the plane of the loop. Four such loop members 92, 100, 102 and 104are adapted to be secured in abutting relation in the manner shown inFIG. 11, for example, when the loops are oriented as shown in FIG. 8.

Another embodiment having a substantially triangular cross-sectionalconfiguration is shown in the loop member 106 in FIG. 12. The leg 108 ofthe loop 106, therefore, has two longitudinally extending plane surfaces1 10 and 112 disposed preferably at right angles to each other and at anangle to the plane of the loop. Four loop members 106, 114, 116 and 118having this form can be assembled as shown in FIG. 13, when oriented asshown in FIG. 8, to produce comparable functional results obtained withthe previously described forms of devices. The cross-sectionalconfiguration of the loops may thus take a number of alternative forms,as indicated. However, each such form has certain characteristics whichmay or may not be desired. For example, some such forms are moresuitable for use when panel members are to be incorporated in the finalassembly. Likewise, some may be considered to be more suitable thanothers for particular aesthetic reasons.

While the particular modular furniture structure assembly herein shownand described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects andproviding the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understoodthat it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred andalternative embodiments of the invention and that no limitations areintended to the details of construction or design steps herein shown anddescribed, other than as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. A modular furniture structure assembly of generally rectilinear,planar loops of elongated, substantially rigid material, the outerperipheral edge of each leg of clamping means for securing saidsurfaces, so disposed, against lateral displacement relative to eachother so that said loops are held in alignment against load generatedforces to form a plurality of rigid, three-dimensional, rectilinear,open frame members interconnected in stacked relation to provide a loadbearing structure suitable for shelving.

1. A modular furniture structure assembly of generally rectilinear,planar loops of elongated, substantially rigid material, the outerperipheral edge of each leg of each loop being formed of two elongatedplanar surfaces angularly disposed to the plane of the loop and to eachother, so that the line of intersection of said surfaces forms the outerperipheral edge of said leg, said loops being assembled so that at leastone of said planar surfaces of each leg of each loop is disposed inabutting, complimentary relationship to a corresponding planar surfaceon the leg of an adjacent loop and clamping means for securing saidsurfaces, so disposed, against lateral displacement relative to eachother so that said loops are held in alignment against load generatedforces to form a plurality of rigid, three-dimensional, rectilinear,open frame members interconnected in stacked relation to provide a loadbearing structure suitable for shelving.